http://www.simplelivingforum.net/
Simplify your business life, whether self-employed or still a wage-slave. Looking for a job? Need someone to do a job? This is the place to post your notice.en-USMon, 19 Mar 2018 14:25:51 GMTvBulletin60http://www.simplelivingforum.net/images/misc/rss.pnghttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/
Sunday Fun-day! (job applications)http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15966-Sunday-Fun-day!-(job-applications)&goto=newpost
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 14:16:26 GMTYeah! This is my job for today, push my rear through applying for jobs. Maybe do some laundry and spend some time with grandbaby.
Meanwhile I...Yeah! This is my job for today, push my rear through applying for jobs. Maybe do some laundry and spend some time with grandbaby.

Meanwhile I asked some advice of my job coach and she asked if I needed it at Spring Break, um no. I am not waiting on anything that long! So she is not that available right now.

I have moments of total excitement, and other moments when I feel that I am ready to be living in a van down by the river (if you know that old SNL skit).
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15966-Sunday-Fun-day!-(job-applications)resume question, and how are the other job seekers doing?http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15963-resume-question-and-how-are-the-other-job-seekers-doing&goto=newpost
Sat, 17 Mar 2018 15:50:49 GMTI was thinking of all the others out there, Tradd and more, that are looking for jobs. How is it going? I find it really exhausting and a lot of...I was thinking of all the others out there, Tradd and more, that are looking for jobs. How is it going? I find it really exhausting and a lot of work. I am developing a cheerleading group however, my sister just sent me a job lead.

I am adapting my resume for a specific job and for this I was thinking about adding a section called 'significant collaborations'. It fits for this job because it is with an organization that I have collaborated with before, however I may want to keep it for other jobs. Hmmm, deep thoughts here.
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15963-resume-question-and-how-are-the-other-job-seekers-doingstill standing, improvement plan and allhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15960-still-standing-improvement-plan-and-all&goto=newpost
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 03:32:13 GMTYeah, had that meeting today. I survived it! And I see a counselor tomorrow.

What was interesting was when A (my boss's boss) started to talk about how I had worked there 8 years and I should know my procedures, maybe my previous supervisor did not hold me to high standards. I replied that I did these processes right last year, and described how each provider had contracts, ICA's, invoicing, etc. done properly. I was able to then talk about how I realized about what time of year I started to struggle, that I had the same diagnoses that I have had for 8 years without a significant issue, however I could see now that I was not okay. I spoke briefly about the help I was seeking as well. The incident that sparked all this was having my training cancelled, and the snowball effect of triggered crap (including exhaustion and general stress).

So on one hand I really appreciated that A said that this was not typical of my work for the last 8 years. That means a lot, like someone noticed my hard work. However what was frustrating was that no one thought to just ask if I was okay. You can't often truly expect that, however I have been in pretty bad shape.

I have an improvement plan, I am okay with that. It is better than just a write up that is simply filed against possibly firing me. This way I can show EXACTLY what I am doing. My boss probably got a little of the sting from this as well. I had an opportunity to point out that I had been asking a question since October and just got the answer in March. It affects my pricing of programs. He was also told to get me an answer on my budget today, instead of me running around trying to find the answer myself. I have deadlines for programming and he has been giving me budget updates with the comment that he can't read them.

Now I can document every thing I do for the rest of the school year for this improvement plan, and hope to show ALL the work I am doing that he is barely aware of. With the counselor hopefully I can get to the bottom of my issues so I am not reacting to old issues or one belonging to another situation. And I really hope to sleep. The last 2 nights I have been waking up every 2 hours so agitated I have to get out of bed and walk around, maybe light some candles, play a video game and try very hard to get some more sleep. Brutal
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15960-still-standing-improvement-plan-and-allquestions and concernshttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15948-questions-and-concerns&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 21:13:48 GMTI was just asked to have a meeting with my supervisor and his supervisor this week about questions and concerns, I am very very scared. I feel I am...I was just asked to have a meeting with my supervisor and his supervisor this week about questions and concerns, I am very very scared. I feel I am going to get fired, and one mistake I made would be possible to say that honestly for.

I just left a message for our HR representative to see if I need support there. I have no idea. But I am spending time getting everything off my computer and prepared.

If I do get fired I am very concerned about my mental health. It is on the edge already.
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15948-questions-and-concernsjob board is down, grrrrhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15942-job-board-is-down-grrrr&goto=newpost
Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:33:54 GMTThe job board for my district is down for maintenance until Monday at 7 am. Grrrrrr,
Finally have my stuff collected and prepared.The job board for my district is down for maintenance until Monday at 7 am. Grrrrrr,

Finally have my stuff collected and prepared.
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15942-job-board-is-down-grrrrhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15934-Here-s-something-I-am-grateful-for-today&goto=newpost
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 20:29:57 GMTI'm beyond grateful that I am no longer serving alcohol and therefore have no need to card people. Why I mention this is that after my thread regarding counterfeit goods I did a little research and discovered that the US has been flooded in recent years by very realistic phony IDs from China. Apparently these can be ordered online now and apparently holograms can be faked now.....to the point of experts being fooled. At least right now I'm not in the position of gatekeeper to phony IDs such as this. I realize though that these phony IDs come with the baggage of other risks too.....but at least they are not potentially in my hands these days. Rob
]]>gimmethesimplelifehttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15934-Here-s-something-I-am-grateful-for-todayHaving a bit of an identity crisis.....work related.......http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15933-Having-a-bit-of-an-identity-crisis-work-related&goto=newpost
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 19:38:09 GMTThis is my very busy season right now and since I have part of today off, I thought I'd better post the following while I have time to do so. Namely, there is an upcoming vacancy in the Banquet Staffing Service office and I've been invited to apply for it - though I am not a shoe in for it and would be competing against other applicants were I to apply.

The job itself would mean a significant income leap and more stability BUT would come with the need to costume for a professional environment plus the need to buy a car and the car would have to be reasonably late model and unfortunately, appearances matter here so that car would cost money. I have not done the math that YMOYL recommends to calculate the real hourly wage due to my being unsure if I want to apply or not but this seems like a good way to start with my decision. Though this job would be along
the lines of what I studied for in college years ago -it is in somewhat direct conflict with my life in the 85006 and my identity/beliefs and I'm having a real hard time with this. Also I worry to apply for this job - whether or not I get it if I apply - would be being disrespectful to the Austrian flag and my people/Homeland. I'm having a real hard time with that, too.

It boils down to this for me: Exactly what do I draw identity from? And what exactly do I owe the 85006 and what exactly do I owe the Austrian flag? And is money enough for me to turn my back on such? OTOH, at my age, how often can I expect such an opportunity to come along? It's a bit of a miracle I made it off the line into a Site Supervisor position to begin with. To say I'm conflicted here is the understatement of my year thus far.

Ultimately this is my decision as an adult but I thought since some of you here are familiar with my postings I'd ask for feedback......Thanks in advance. And I guess there is a compliment here buried in this for me too - were the Banquet Staffing Service unhappy with me, I would not have been invited to apply for this soon to be vacant professional job. Decisions, decisions.........Rob
]]>gimmethesimplelifehttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15933-Having-a-bit-of-an-identity-crisis-work-relatedmet the teacher recruiterhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15927-met-the-teacher-recruiter&goto=newpost
Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:07:32 GMTI went to a program for working on your resume, cover letters and general support. I got to meet the teacher recruiter for our district and she was...I went to a program for working on your resume, cover letters and general support. I got to meet the teacher recruiter for our district and she was super supportive. So I am sending her my resume this week and we will see,

Busy at work but just wanted to quick update
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15927-met-the-teacher-recruiterInterviewhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15924-Interview&goto=newpost
Thu, 08 Mar 2018 01:04:37 GMTMe too Zoe Girl, if we can take back that slogan and give it an innocuous meaning. I have an interview Monday evening. I see it as a good sign the...Me too Zoe Girl, if we can take back that slogan and give it an innocuous meaning. I have an interview Monday evening. I see it as a good sign the company is willing to meet with me after hours since I don't want my current employer to know I am looking.
]]>Yppejhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15924-InterviewMid-life career change is it possible? is it a good idea?http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15922-Mid-life-career-change-is-it-possible-is-it-a-good-idea&goto=newpost
Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:48:21 GMTWell I'm still unemployed, looking hard for work but it's not looking very hopeful (not that it's 100% hopeless either of course). So what other alternative is there I guess but to do something entirely new.

I know there are all sorts of huge obstacles one will likely hit trying to retrain for and change a career in mid-life (like huge age discrimination especially if just starting out in a career, it's one thing to start out in a new career in your 20s and 30s but ...). But this depends somewhat on what one switches to as well, some careers are maybe more open to people starting in them even if they are over 40 or 50 (I'm in my early 40s but after I retrained I certainly won't be any younger). Does anyone know what these careers might be?

Also what would you consider if you were retraining? Yes of course one considers if there are jobs in the field. But again if there are hidden barriers like age to enter a new field these aren't easy to suss out. Also if a field REALLY ISN'T that great and doesn't have that many openings period compared to applicants, it isn't always that easy to tell by jobs ads either, because there might be job ads and an ok amount, but it might also be the case of employers being flooding with enough resumes that they are able to be EXTREMELY picky in who they actually consider (what I am encountering now to an almost absurd degree - the purple squirrel phenomena in full effect) so that almost noone even gets considered for an interview.

If the problem was me screwing up interviews rather than the job market seeming very very very tough out there so that interviews are very sparse, then I wouldn't be thinking career change, but I am. It could be this part of the country isn't so hot for anything I've done, but I don't plan on relocation either (or I would relocate in the area perhaps but not moving cross country - my man and my mom are here what can I say). Yea training for a new career would be expensive, time consuming, and PLENTY risky as well, but it may be the best option.
]]>ApatheticNoMorehttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15922-Mid-life-career-change-is-it-possible-is-it-a-good-ideaDo you know anything about fitness certifications?http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15918-Do-you-know-anything-about-fitness-certifications&goto=newpost
Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:28:33 GMTSo I see a part time job in teaching meditation and mindfulness through the city. It looks good, for seniors and on-call basically. However it says...So I see a part time job in teaching meditation and mindfulness through the city. It looks good, for seniors and on-call basically. However it says don't apply unless you have a certification, and there are no certifications in teaching mindfulness or meditation! I have recommendations from my teachers possibly and a certification in teaching youth mindfulness, there just isn't a standard certification that I am aware of.

Any advice? Should I call someone and ask? Send in a resume of experience in this area with a recommendation letter? Reach out to a contact person who has worked with them? Argh?
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15918-Do-you-know-anything-about-fitness-certificationsspoke up for myself,http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15917-spoke-up-for-myself&goto=newpost
Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:42:56 GMTand so far feel okay about it!
Had my bi-monthly check in with supervisor, he wanted to meet in person which is generally a bad sign. It was okay...and so far feel okay about it!

Had my bi-monthly check in with supervisor, he wanted to meet in person which is generally a bad sign. It was okay until he brought up one thing he had asked me for and it took awhile to get it to him. It is a brand new thing to me with no direction or template, but should be simple. So he started to suggest a write up and I was NOT okay. I pointed out how I had set up my payment tracker sheet, submitted all my payments correctly with documentation, set up the online system, and btw had been asking for months on how to do this, but I handled it between us and not his supervisor. The only thing is that I apparently did not send a balance sheet. At some point I mentioned that the giant list of tasks that our camp days require are nowhere on the bi-monthly check in, that my data and tracker I have been primarily accountable for over the last 5 years are nowhere on our check in agenda. These are things that are 100%, every month. Then I told him I have insomnia and regular 10-12 hour days (salary not overtime). My mind does tend to get fuzzy after 9 hours, go figure. However I still had tears, I will probably regret something however I just really needed to stand up for myself. I said at the end that I had some positives to share but we were out of time so I needed to go.

I saw my old supervisor in the hall, I had asked her for a reference. She asked me how the job search was going right there, and no one was around so I answered. I need to do more but I spend most weekends sick half the time. My work friend let me vent on the driving back to site. How hard would his job be if he actually had to teach any of us our jobs? We are all very experienced so all he has to do is check lists on us. If I left tomorrow there is a list of 10 things he would have to teach my assistant to get through the first month. There are just so many tasks that he can take for granted we have handled very well. There are so many articles out there about not being perfect, yet when it comes down to it the 100 tasks are not balancing out what he feels is more important. As a boss that is his right, but it is also my right to leave. Considering how amazingly low his survey scores are I can't imagine I am the only one feeling similarly.

Good news is that I saw if I quit they pay out my 30 days of vacation time if I leave the district!
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15917-spoke-up-for-myselfSubversion and insubordinationhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15916-Subversion-and-insubordination&goto=newpost
Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:40:01 GMTSo, the schedule is out for next year. The publication of the schedule is how we learn how many hours and what classes we will be teaching next year...So, the schedule is out for next year. The publication of the schedule is how we learn how many hours and what classes we will be teaching next year and when. Sometimes it’s also when we learn some of our collegues will not be returning or that new people have been hired. Incidentally the schedule has informed me that I have 24 hours to come up with a syllabus for a class that my boss apparently invented for me by combining a subject I offered to teach to 6-8 year olds with an age group I also teach, but other subjects (high school).

i do not like my schedule. I like it as far as it goes, but I do not like that I am teaching only two days (effective pay cut) and that I did not get to offer several of the classes I wanted. I do not know if any of that is because my room is in use, as the version of the schedule we got does not have room assignments. It may be because my boss did not want me to compete with certain other teachers because we would split enrollment - resulting in smaller class sizes and two teachers being paid for that period instead of one, or creating a need to cancel one because both were too small.

my primary “career” guiding questions:
1 is this good for the kids?
2 will this get me fired?

so I am planning to use my (paid) time standing at the table at information night to talk to parents of existing students and collect information that will hopefully allow me to do an end run around the current schedule and offer some additional classes under the guise of exercising my option to “tutor”, instead of pitching the classes I already have (goal of event) because 1 no, and 2 unlikely.

i will also have a kickass syllabus for the new class, and my classes will fill anyway, but if my plan works, I may create competition for someone else that results in their class not filling. And I don’t care. The only specific someone else I see at risk is a new teacher.

so worst case - my boss is angry, I make a new enemy, and I still don’t get my classes and can’t serve my kids as well as I would like.

best case, the information I collect is so compelling that I take it to my boss instead of using it to subvert the schedule and she gives me my classes (if I “tutor” a large number of students it undercuts the school financially - I don’t want to do that if I can avoid it) and my kids get what they need.

i feel good about all of this except “stealing” my pay for the event. But I can’t exactly say “don’t pay me, i’m Freelancing on your time.” And I will fill my classes - which is the goal for which I am being paid to attend. And I will also be promoting that amazing new class i’m about to make up.....
]]>Chicken ladyhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15916-Subversion-and-insubordinationmanaging lower performershttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15899-managing-lower-performers&goto=newpost
Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:19:41 GMTSo now with my one problem child employee gone (yeah!) I am left with the rest of my crew to work with and work on improving. And we need work. I was...So now with my one problem child employee gone (yeah!) I am left with the rest of my crew to work with and work on improving. And we need work. I was hoping that the dragging down feeling I had with my problem person would change just by having her leave, it is better but we need more improvement. My assistant is great, I really love how he is a natural with the kids and up on everything. I do need to do the organizing of stuff often because that isn't his strength but that is fine. So much I am able to delegate that I have not been able to for years. I have a feeling that this summer or next year he will get a job like mine, and I will support him in that.

Meanwhile my longest term staff keeps going in and out of being totally engaged. This has been forever, when we had one person to run all camps she said she didn't want her to work camps because she was not always engaged. Just yesterday she was not managing her group very well and my assistant had been in the room and told me later. There have been times when she was being observed and didn't have all her materials ready for example. Still she knows how to write some great lesson plans, has good knowledge, just also checks out. The new guy needs to really step up and write those d**n lesson plans! He is not getting it that he needs to write them, we sit with him, write deadlines, even gave him a week of lesson plans already written to get started. He has the older kids and they need some good projects to really get them focused and behavior to be good. I literally do not have what he needs to do today after multiple requests. Then one of my instructors who teaches one science class a week left the classroom so trashed that the teacher won't let him use the room again. It is the class room he is a para in, how awkward.

So getting tough on people, I think I have been overly understanding that this job attracts people who are not teachers in training and highly skilled. Maybe the best equivalent is managing fast food or lower retail. For my most experienced staff and the new guy I am adding to the lesson plan where they have to write the script for starting a lesson, too often it is just 'we are making pom pom bunnies'. We need to have a more engaging start to a project. For my new guy I am putting in scheduled time to lesson plan plus that script. For my science instructor I need his lesson plans this week or this will be his last science class with me. We have one more 6 weeks session before the end of the year and I can get someone else.

Great news is that I already have 4 summer staff that are super strong! I have worked with 3 of them before, and so if I am still at this job I have that boost.
]]>Zoe Girlhttp://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15899-managing-lower-performersBuilding shutting down at work (and can they do this?)http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?15880-Building-shutting-down-at-work-(and-can-they-do-this-)&goto=newpost
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 17:34:51 GMTFirst I will ask: Does anyone on this board work for OSHA or know about employment laws?
I apologize in advance if I sound a little crazy, but my...First I will ask: Does anyone on this board work for OSHA or know about employment laws?

I apologize in advance if I sound a little crazy, but my spouse has been ill for 5 days and I'm pretty upset about a different work situation. But here goes:

We have found out that an underground transformer right behind our building on campus could possibly "blow" or just quit working at any time. This will mean a total shutdown of our library. We'll have no power, no AC, no internet. We've been told we'll temporarily move to another building. BUT, if anyone should need a book, they think we're going to come over here in the dark, in summer with no AC, no backup power, and pull books for people.

Is this legal? Can they make us do that? My spouse (who used to work in the construction field) says no way--there are safety laws in place preventing people from entering a building under these conditions. This is why I'm asking about OSHA. Because I plan to report my employer if they think they're going to force us to do this.

Frankly, I cannot see why they don't either 1) lay everyone off for the period of time the building will be closed; or 2) talk to another college just blocks away, with whom we share tuition reimbursement and a common bookstore. Why can't people use their library in the interim?

The other thing they said is everyone should be taking vacation time during this period. I'll be off a week in June, but I don't have enough vacation time to take off more. Can an employer tell you when to take your vacation time?